Thanks to all for the reviews. I haven't been working on this one as much because I've been finishing "Dying to Live," but I don't think two days is that long of a wait... I've been spoiling you guys.

Chapter Ten "Holding Together"

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."~Unknown

Kono knew there was something she had to do. Letting Steve see her soft side over the past few days had been difficult, but ultimately healthy. But Chin hadn't seen her at all over the last month. He had no idea what she'd gone through and she really didn't want him to. But he had to. He had to know what he was apologizing for.

When Kono and Steve got back upstairs, Danny was in his office on the phone and Chin was still at the table, working on refining the security video.

"You need some help with that?" Kono asked.

Chin turned around, surprised by her voice. "Yeah," he finally said. He did notice that Steve conveniently disappeared into his office.

"Is this all you have?" Kono asked, looking at the video clip.

"Yeah, and we're not getting anything off it."

"Well, it doesn't look like we'll be able to get a good look at their faces, but we might find some other identifying features."

"Such as?"

"Well, we can determine their height, weight, et cetera. Maybe even figure out what kind of work they do by their movements. You know, whether their ex-military, contract kidnappers. Stuff like that."

"You were always better at this part."

"I know."

"Kono, I would understand if you never forgive me."

"I wouldn't." Kono didn't look at her cousin. She was busy enhancing the video.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, a lot of people are that way, but I'm not one of them. Now, I don't understand what you did, but I can see you're trying to make it right. That's enough for me to work with for now."

"For now?"

"Until I figure all this out. You gotta give me time."

"Honestly, this is more than I dared hope for."

"These guys are incredibly fit."

"What?"

"On the video. Looks like their both over six feet. You can see some skin there." She pointed at the screen. "So their white. I'll keep working on this and see what I get."

"Good work, Cos'. You gonna be okay working with McGarrett?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

"It'll be different."

"I think we'll be fine. Of course, he might not like doing all this kind of stuff, but he won't say anything."

"I'm sure you'll get your share of action."

"It's 5-0. When didn't we?"

Chin laughed softly. "You're right there."

H-5-O

Danny stared at his phone for a long time before dialing his parents' number. He didn't know how he was going to tell them, how he was going to tell Grace. His father answered the phone.

"Hey, Dad," Danny said.

"Hey. We were wondering when we'd hear from you. Rachel get in all right?"

Danny cleared his throat. "Uh, no. She, uh, she was taken from the airport."

"Taken? By whom?"

"Well, if I knew that, I'd be paying them a visit right now. We're trying to track her down right now."

"Danny... I'm so sorry."

"I know, Dad, I just... how do I tell Grace?"

"You just tell her the truth, Danny. I'll tell your mom."

The phone was handed off to Grace. Danny's mouth suddenly felt dry and his alms began to sweat.

"Hi, Danno," came the voice of his beautiful eight-year-old.

"Hey, Monkey," Danny replied. "Listen, there's something I have to tell you."

"What?"

"It's... it's about your mom." Danny cleared his throat again. "She's missing, baby."

Grace didn't say anything. Danny completely understood.

"Hey, Monkey, listen, I'm gonna find her and she'll be okay. Got it?"

"Yeah" Grace said in a small voice. "Danno, I want to be with you."

"Oh, I know, Gracie, but you're safer with Grandma and Grandpa, okay? They'll take good care of you. As soon as I find mom, I'll come get you. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Hey, you keep an eye on your aunts for me, okay?"

"Okay, Danno. I love you."

"I love you too."

Danny sighed as he hung up the phone. He would have been much happier not telling Grace, but he knew that wasn't right.

Danny didn't notice when his door opened and a large form took up residence there. He looked up, startled when Steve coughed.

"You okay?" Steve asked.

"Not really," Danny replied. "How's Kono?"

"She's... There's no end to her resilience."

"Yeah? That's good."

"You were talking to Grace?"

"Yeah. And I don't want to talk to you about it, so can we get to work now?"

"I'm not the boss here. But I think they've worked things out." Steve turned back toward the main room to see Chin and Kono still working on the video.

Danny got up and they both went over to see how things were coming.

H-5-O

Steve didn't know what partnering with Kono would be like. If it was anything like the last few days, he'd be quite happy with it. In fact, he was wondering why it had taken them so long to become the good friends they now were. He supposed it was a matter of being preoccupied with their separate tasks. They hadn't had much chance to work together until now.

Of course, Steve wished things could be like they were, but he wasn't at all dissatisfied with the situation. It was strange that he found himself okay with the way things were.

Soon, Danny and Chin left to follow up on the Wo Fat connection. Steve hated the idea that Rachel's kidnapping might be his fault. But was that better than it being something random?

He did what he could to help Kono, but she knew more about this kind of thing. She still asked his opinion frequently.

"You think these guys could be military?" she asked.

Steve watched their movements again. "I doubt it," he said. "Look there. They're not smooth. It seemed almost awkward. Like if there hadn't been two of them, they might not have succeeded."

"That narrows it down."

"Does it? I mean, what if it is Wo Fat? They could be from anywhere."

"Let's think positive here."

"You sound like Danny."

"You need it."

"Apparently."

H-5-O

Danny stared out the passenger window of his car. He had been abnormally silent. His conversation with Grace was sucking the life out of him.

"You all right, brah?" Chin asked.

Danny rubbed his face absently. "This is normally the part where Steve would sat not to worry, that we'll find her, et cetera."

Chin looked over at Danny briefly. "I'm not Steve," he said. "He's an optimist. I'm not. I don't know what's going to happen. I know we're going to do everything to find her. And that's always been good enough."

Danny didn't say anything. He couldn't understand Chin. He'd always had a problem with that. Without thinking, he slammed his fist into the window, tearing the skin on his knuckles.

"Danny," Chin said.

"No," Danny said. "You listen to me. You are not my partner. You never will be."

"Danny, I want more than anything for things to go back to the way they were. I want you and Steve to be partners again. I never asked for this responsibility, but I took it because I had to."

"You know, I don't think Steve and Kono mind so much."

"What do you mean."

"Haven't you noticed how close they've gotten? How he went to talk to her instead of you or me?"

"Yeah, I noticed. It's out of necessity, I assume."

"Or opportunity."

"What?"

"I think it's sad they were never like that before. They're so in sync."

"Are you trying to say something, brah?"

"I'm saying it. They're good together. It's good for them, probably good for us. I'm not implying anything other than that."

"Sounded like it."

"Maybe that's your overprotective cousin instinct."

"Yeah, maybe."